Toronto issues 'extreme' cold alert as mercury to drop to -16C

A young woman shields her ears from the cold while walking across Toronto's Queen Street during -18 C weather last January. Temperatures in the Toronto area are expected to take a similar dip overnight Monday.

Photograph by: Peter J. Thompson
, National Post

TORONTO — The City of Toronto has issued an extreme cold weather alert, which remains in effect "until further notice" as the city braces for an overnight low Monday of -16C.

The cold temperatures are set to continue Tuesday, with a high of -12C and a wind chill factor of -27C, according to Environment Canada's forecast. Torontonians are expected to get some respite toward the end of the week, with a high of 5C predicted for Friday.

Extreme cold weather alerts are typically called when Environment Canada predicts temperatures of -15C or lower, or for other extreme weather conditions, such as a blizzard or ice storm.

The alert triggers increased street outreach and transportation services to ensure homeless people have somewhere warm to go.

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A young woman shields her ears from the cold while walking across Toronto's Queen Street during -18 C weather last January. Temperatures in the Toronto area are expected to take a similar dip overnight Monday.

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